Former Trader - Senior Trader Optiver Employee Review

4.0
May 24, 2024
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

* Incredibly talented people working in every part of the business. * World class training program and training environment. * Continuous learning as a core principle is embodied by everyone. Iterative improvement over time. * Global diversification of profit pool - shared success as a firm (Although FAR too diplomatic in this approach). *Incredible tooling and application development. *Mastery of trading acumen and performance in the core asset classes. *Opportunities to work across the globe. *Opportunities in various asset classes for longer term growth. *Top tier new offices and facilities. *Rapid early and mid-career growth opportunities for high achievers.

Cons

*Pay has deprecated from top of market to mid-market in US. *Top heavy. So much of profit pool has been diluted away from trading to non-trading or trading management. *Lack of agency to individual PnL. Shockingly low beta to desk or individual performance. *VERY entrenched seniors. *Inertia slowing adaption of new opportunities globally. *Perverse incentive structure for the 'best traders' to become non-trading managers. *A small group of managers are the only voices heard by management. Where they wield all of the power and make all of the decisions.

Explore other reviews about Optiver

5.0
Feb 24, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

worked on a lot of different areas of the trading stack; often close with researchers learned about technical components for data driven trading saw my impact day to day

Cons

constant office renovations were a bit distracting, but was told it should be done in 2026

3.0
May 21, 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Good compensation, collaborative environment. Company also seems to aim to be at forefront of new tech such as AI

Cons

When HR mgmt is on record stating things like the company shouldn’t hire females anymore, it really makes you wonder how they make decisions on who should fill management positions

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